The Nicest Little Outhouse in Zambia*
*Until proven otherwise and
we welcome challengers!
In addition to our work with
finances and the guest house,
there are some surprising opportunities to share ideas that will enhance the
lives of people here. One of them
is our model “composting toilet.”
We started out on this
project because of the unreliable water supply to the Guest House. If water is off, we have our own backup
supply and we can carry from the hand-pump not too far from the house. But providing water for the Guest House
- particularly for flush toilets would be a problem and there was no adequate
outside latrine that could be used.
In our orchard stood a
small, dilapidated building about the size and design of a pit latrine but it
was being used for junk storage.
However, it was apparent that if cleaned up a bit it could be restored
for use. So we went to work
removing the junk and having the walls re-plastered inside and out, painted and a functional
toilet seat installed.
While we were working on
this project, Ron Herr shared a concept for the re-cycling of human waste
called “Humanure.”
Now the proper disposal of
human waste is a major issue in both urban and rural settings and there a a
number of governmental and NGO efforts at educating people on these issues. (
“One Family One Toilet” is a take-off on the national slogan “One Zambia,
http://humanurehandbook.com/manual.html One Nation.) The “Humanure” concept involves the sanitary collection,
transport and composting of human waste with an added benefit that the pit
latrine does not smell (come and check ours out sometime and you will see - it’s true).
Here’s how it works. Instead of a pit dug in the ground,
there is a 20 litre (5 gal) plastic pail under the seat.
Whenever the toilet is used, the user
throws two handfuls of crushed, dry leaves or grass (of which we have plenty)
down the hatch. This adds carbon
to the waste and begins the process of making compost of human waste. This also reduces -
practically eliminates - any unpleasant odor. (We have experimented with putting Eucalyptus leaves in the
bin to actually add a sweet odor.)
When the pail is nearly
full, it is removed and the contents dumped on the compost pile which
accumulates, produces heat and ultimately destroys pathogens making the resulting
compost safe to use for fertilizing.
Aside from the building
itself, we have attempted to use materials which are readily available to
rural, village folk. The compost
bin is constructed of 4 live Jatrophia trees at each of the corners. This is done instead of using wooden
poles which would be quickly consumed by termites.
Horizontal sticks are placed on the inside of the trees,
log-cabin style as the compost pile builds. They can easily be removed a year from now when it is time
to empty the bin and put the compost to work in the garden. (Yes, it's quite safe by now). Leaves are
readily available in the bush and a couple of 20 liter pails are easily
acquired.
This has been a wonderful
asset to the guest house and from time to time we have opportunity to show this
off to visitors and encourage their use of the concept and give them a handout
from the Humanure project (Joseph Jenkins, Inc., 143 Forest lane, Grove City,
PA 16127 USA; www.josephjenkins.com.).
You can read more about the
Humanure concept by visiting their website at
http://humanurehandbook.com/manual.html
